Current situation and influencing factors of the nursing practice environment in five tertiary general hospitals in Shenzhen: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the current situation and influencing factors of the nursing practice environment in Shenzhen, China, and provides suggestions for improving it. BACKGROUND: Nursing shortage is an urgent global problem and also of concern in China. Studies have shown that better work environments are related to high job satisfaction and better patient outcomes. METHODS: The 37-item Practice Environment Scale was used to assess the nursing practice environment. Respondents were 1116 nurses from five general tertiary hospitals in Shenzhen. RESULTS: The mean satisfaction score for the nursing practice environment was 3.63 ± 0.72 (where 5 is the highest possible score). Position, being a specialist nurse, choice of nursing major, educational attainment, and night shifts significantly affected nurses’ working environment satisfaction. CONCLUSION: The practice environment of nurses was satisfactory. We recommend reducing the workload and encouraging nurses to complete specialist training, and supporting nurses to expand their roles in hospitals and society to improve the nursing practice environment.